Strawberries, Black Pepper, Balsamic & Basil

Strawberries with black pepper. If it sounds to you like an odd combo, you’re right. But food scientists tell us it’s a magical combination that actually makes sense. Simply put, black pepper brings out flavor in strawberries, making them extra sweet and more strawberry-y (my term, not the scientists’). And you don’t really taste the pepper since you use a tiny bit (lots simply offers heat, which isn’t bad, in my book). So what else does this magic condiment do?  Well, like some citrus fruits, strawberries actually have an inherent amount of tartness, and the pepper neutralizes that tartness, keeping any overly sweet elements to a minimum and, ultimately, making strawberry flavor shine. The theory even works for other acidic (or tart) fruits, like pineapple. Some seasoned jam makers even swear by adding a little bit of pepper to their strawberry preserves, making them even more delectable. The simplest way to test the theory is to cut a berry in half, sprinkle it with fresh black pepper, and pop it in your mouth. I recently hosted some dear Napa Valley friends for dinner while they were visiting Sarasota.  These folks know a thing or two about good wine and which flavors pair well together, so I wanted to make a tasty dessert they’d appreciate AND, I didn’t want to make a rich, decadent dessert full of calories and fat (my first inclination, quite honestly). So I put some strawberries into action, mixing them with not only black pepper, but also, two other strawberry-friendly ingredients: balsamic vinegar and fresh basil — the ultimate combo. I even topped the berries with whipped ricotta (which I also used with Grilled Peaches, Ricotta Honey & Thyme) and it was a lovely dessert with complex flavors, yet light and delicious. You could also serve the berries over pound cake, vanilla ice cream or yogurt, and I’m sure that would be delicious, too 🙂 I read somewhere that “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone” — I’m not sure who said it, but it’s fitting here. . .so if you’ve never tried this unusual combo of strawberries and pepper, give it a shot!